Possible Transitional Measures for Implementing Cosmetic Safety Technical Standard

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Transitional measures, concerning application and deadlines of Cosmetic Safety Technical Standard are clarified by one of our expert sources.

The Cosmetic Safety Technical Standard (CL Dec. news) was released nearly six months ago and it will come into force on 1st Dec 2016, setting new quality standards and technical requirements for domestic and imported cosmetics. Since its release, many manufacturers and importers have been confused about transitional measures and application procedures. There was an “inside document” released in Beijing Daily Chemical Association, specifying some relevant measures and deadlines however this document is non-official and serves only as a reference. The official CFDA release is the only definitive document.

• Substandard Cosmetics

All cosmetics failing to meet the new standard will be prohibited from manufacturing or importing. However, those existing substandard cosmetics can still be sold before the expiration date.

• Substandard Labeling

If the labels lack required information like application conditions and warnings, those packing can still be used before 30th Nov. 2017 and the cosmetics within those packing can be sold before the expiration date.

• Formula Adjustment

For already approved or filed cosmetics, the manufacturers and importers should submit applications to CFDA before 1st Dec 2016 prior to making any adjustments under the new standard. The application procedure will differ among different categories of cosmetics. Special use cosmetics are a more complicated procedure.

• Technical Adjustments

For cosmetics failing to meet the quality standard and technical requirements set by the new standard, the relevant manufacturers should finish the technical adjustments to meet the quality standard and submit its technical files to CFDA before 1st Dec 2016.

Stay tuned for more relevant details on CL.